COL. CITY VOLLEYBALL: Dynamic duo heading to Big Ten

Gabrielle Hazen (top) and Kalisha Goree will play college volleyball in the Big Ten Conference in 2014Post & Mail photo / Nicole Ott

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City volleyball’s Kalisha Goree and Gabrielle Hazen have played on the same side of the net for countless games as Lady Eagles, as well as in off-season leagues, for several years.

Starting in the fall of 2014, hat is going to change for Columbia City’s dynamic duo, as Hazen and Goree will be conference rivals — in the Big Ten.

Goree has committed to Ohio State University and Hazen will play at Northwestern University.

Not often are small-town athletes sought out by Big Ten schools, let alone two on the same team. Both girls are excited about the opportunity, and both had interesting beginnings to their volleyball careers.

Before stepping on the court, Goree had no desire to play volleyball.

“My dad told me I had to try it once, and if I didn’t like it, I never had to play again,” Goree said. “Of course, I loved it from the start.”

Goree has been playing since she was eight years old, while Hazen didn’t begin her volleyball journey until she was in eighth grade.

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